PREVIEW: MAIDSTONE UNITED V YEOVIL TOWN

Yeovil Town are back in action this coming Sunday when they face Maidstone United away in the first round of FA Cup.

The game kicks off at 2pm and there will be highlights via the BBC who have selected the game for their ‘Final Score’ coverage on Sunday.

The Glovers are hoping that two games away from league action will provide them with the perfect opportunity to turn their form around.

However, this Sunday’s game won’t be easy despite the difference in divisions between the two sides.

Yeovil lie 23rd in League Two while Maidstone are flying high in the National League South.

The Stones were champions of the Isthmian League last season and have continued their great form with a place in the Play Offs of the National League South.

Their rise has been relatively meteoric in terms of speed, they were playing their trade in the Kent League system as recently as 2006 and have the latest ‘Manager of the Month’ in their division in Jay Saunders.

The Stones’ form has been really very impressive over the last month winning their last six league games as well as progressing through their FA Cup Qualifying matches,

Their last defeat was back in late August when Chelmsford City picked up a 1-0 away win.

That record has been kept intact by a defence and goalkeeper who are hard to break down; stopper Lee Worgan drew comparisons with Gordon Banks for his performance against Concord Rangers last week.

For Yeovil, the team news is much more up in the air with injuries causing yet more headaches for Paul Sturrock.

Last week’s defeat to Carlisle saw both Nathan Smith and Jakub Sokolik hobble off, they both face late fitness tests and will be given all the time possible to prove their match fitness.

As before, Stephen Arthurworrey’s loan has come to an end after the Fulham defender needed surgery, the loan deal of midfielder George Thomas prevents him from playing and the long term absentees, Ben Tozer and Omar Sowunmi, edge closer to a return but Sunday could come too quickly.

Images of Simon Gillett and Kevin Dawson helping with community projects this week is sure to excite Glovers fans and the news that Jack Compton returns to running this weekend is music to their ears too.

Still, questions over the availability of Marc Laird and Jamie Burrows are still to be answered.

Paul Sturrock has made no secret of his desire to add to the squad, but as yet no deals have been confirmed.

However, on a positive note, the loan deal for Harry Cornick has been extended and Swansea players Josh Sheehan and Connor Roberts have been given permission to play.

Yeovil are looking to avoid falling foul of their own history of being giant killers and progressing through to the second round of the cup.

Last time we met

The archives have been searched and we trace the last meeting between the two sides to an FA Cup first round game back in 1989.

Mickey Spencer scored for Yeovil on that day but the Stones were the side who progressed with a 2-1 win.

In fact, the two sides met in the league that season with both games going the way of the Kent-based outfit.

Hopefully, that isn’t an omen for Sunday’s game.

Tickets

The game is an all-ticket affair for both sides with there being no match day admission.

Yeovil were awarded 300 tickets for the stadium and the seating ones had all sold out at the time of writing.

A small number of terrace tickets were available but please note that you will need to contact the YTFC ticket office as soon as possible.

Commentary and Social Media

Commentary for all of Yeovil Town’s matches can be heard through the online club service Glovers Player, you can sign up for this by clicking HERE!

BBC Radio will also have full match commentary of the Green and White’s matches, stay tuned to your local station for all the details.

Stay tuned to all things Yeovil Town through the club’s social media outlets.

YTFC can be found on TWITTER, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and even SNAPCHAT just search for @YTFC or click on the links provided. Use the Hashtag #YTFC across all platforms to make sure you connect with other Glovers fans the world over.